The city of Cleveland is buzzing with news as the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson have reached an agreement on a contract restructure. This move aims to ease the team’s financial burden in the coming years. According to sources, the reworked deal indicates that Watson is likely to remain with the Browns for the next season, following the expiration of his original contract.
Watson’s current contract is a massive five-year deal worth $230 million, which is fully guaranteed and runs through the 2026 season. Despite the restructure, it’s noted that Watson’s financial obligations for the 2025 season remain intact, with $92 million still guaranteed for that year and the following one. The changes to his contract may provide the Browns with more flexibility in managing the salary cap after 2026.
There is talk that the Browns also plan on bringing in another quarterback for competition. Whether they choose a rookie, a younger player, or a veteran to challenge Watson remains to be seen. This development comes after Watson had a rocky season. He only played in seven games this year due to a torn Achilles injury he sustained against the Cincinnati Bengals in October.
Throughout the season, Watson struggled significantly. He recorded a 79.0 quarterback rating, ranking 32nd out of 34 quarterbacks, and his 23.0 QBR placed him at the bottom of all signal-callers. Additionally, his average of just 3.84 net yards gained per attempt was the lowest in the league by over a yard.
In total, Watson has played 19 games for Cleveland over the past three seasons, during which the team has a 9-10 record during his starts. He has completed about 61.2 percent of his passes for a total of 3,365 yards, alongside 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. With such underwhelming performance statistics, the Browns find themselves reevaluating the quarterback position moving forward.
As the Browns navigate through a challenging 3-12 season, eyes are now set on the offseason. With the restructuring of Watson’s contract, it appears the team is not only planning for the future but also trying to find a reliable starter at quarterback for the 2025 season. The focus is on turning the page with hope for a better outcome next year.
